HX64077802 
RA805.B86  B69        The  Buffalo Lthia  w 

X  uo    ±jnu.>xi\j    Ajiiiiio     tvai/Ci'S    111 

the  Treatment  of  Diseases  of 
tbo  Nervous  System. 


G.  IIALSTED  BOYLAND,M.D.,M.A., 

LATS  St-I.<:>nil,  rRIKCII    AKHY   (DICKKATVD)  ;    I.ATt 

rRorxuoB  or  iubokiiv  in  tub  baltiuubk 

MBDIOAL  COLLICI,   (TC. 


REFBINTKU   FBOM 

Cte  Nfb)  Yotft  i«fti(cal  Souvnnl 
for  Augmt  20,  1887. 


JAP 


J 


CoUege  of  l^^psitiani  anb  ^mstom 
ICitirarp 


Digitized  by  tine  Internet  Arciiive 

in  2010  witii  funding  from 
Columbia  University  Libraries 


http://www.archive.org/details/buffalolithiawatOOboyl 


THE 

BUFFALO  liTlUA  WATERS 


IN    TlIK    TUKATMEST    OF 


DISEASES  OE  THE  NERVOUS  SYSTEM 


BY 

G.  IIALSTED   BOYLAND,  M.  D.,  M.  A. 

LATE  StTRGEON,  FRENCn  ARMT  (DECORATED)  ;    LATE   PROFESSOR  OF  SURGERY 
IN   THE   BALTIMORE   MEDICAL  COLLEGE,   ETC. 


REPRINTED  FROM 

THE  NEW  YORE  MEDICAL  JOURNAL 

FOR  AUGUST  20,  1887 


NEW   YORK 
D.   APPLETON  AND  COMPANY 

1887 


THE  BUFFALO   LITIIIA   WATERS 

IX    THE    TnF:ATMEXT    OF 

DISEASES    OF  THE    KERYOUS    SYSTEM. 

There  is  no  physiological  process  that  is  not  executed 
either  directly  or  by  reflex  action  by  the  nervous  system — 
waking,  respiration,  deglutition,  walking,  sleeping ;  in  a 
word,  life  itself  begins  and  ends  in  the  medulla  oblongata. 
It  is  not  necessary  to  look  beyond  the  par  vagura  to  observe 
the  great  variety  of  physiological  functions  and  far-reaching 
psychical  influences  exercised  by  a  single  nerve.  The  de- 
duction naturally  drawn  therefrom  that  the  majority  of  dis- 
eases are  referable  to  derangements  of  the  nervous  system, 
be  it  through  the  plexus  affected,  the  sympathetic,  or  the 
cercbro-spinal  system,  is  fully  established  by  pathology. 

Almost  all  morbid  changes  thus  find  their  origin  in  a 
neurosis.  Neuroses  dominate  pathology.  A  remedy  there- 
fore suitable  to  diseases  of  the  nervous  system  in  general — 
such  as  neurasthenia,  hypera^sthesia,  chorea,  neuralgia,  neu- 
ritis, dyspepsia,  araenorrhoea  and  dysmenorrhoea  of  nervous 
origin,  impotence,  sterility  and  hysteria,  cerebral  hyperaMnia 
and  an;f  mia,  melancholia,  paralyses,  and  cephalalgia — is  one 
to  commend  itself  to  the  neurologist  as  well  as  to  the  gen- 
eral practitioner.  Such  an  one  there  is  provided  by  nature 
in  the  waters  of  the  Buffalo  Lithia  Springs  of  Virginia,  a 
remedy  which,  independent  of  drugs  and  medicines,  has 
alleviated  all  cases  of  such  character  in  which  it  was  pre- 


4  THE   BUFFALO   LITHIA   WATERS. 

scribed,  cured  many,  and  been  successfully  exhibited  when- 
ever a  revitalizing  of  the  nerve-cells  was  indicated.  Dr. 
Hunter  McGuire  was  the  first  to  direct  attention  to  the  re- 
constituent  powers  of  the  Buffalo  Lithia  waters.  In  speaking 
of  Spring  No.  2,  used  in  cases  of  nervous  dyspepsia  caused 
by  mental  over-work,  and  to  quote  from  his  article  on  the 
subject :  "  It  has  never  failed  me  as  a  powerful  nervous 
tonic  when  I  have  prescribed  it  as  such.  I  sometimes  think 
it  must  contain  hypophosphites  of  lime  and  soda." 

The  writer,  who  has  had  a  large  experience  in  the  treat- 
ment of  diseases  of  the  nervous  system  by  these  waters,  ex- 
tending over  a  period  of 'four  seasons  as  resident  physician 
at  the  Buffalo  Lithia  Springs,  is  decidedly  of  opinion  that 
their  chemico-physiological  action  is  analogous  to  that  of 
the  hypophosphite  compound,  as  mentioned  by  Dr.  McGuire. 
In  confirmation  of  this,  Dr.  William  A.  Hammond  writes 
that  he  bas  for  some  time  made  use  of  them  in  cases  of  af- 
fections of  the  nervous  system,  stating  that  his  results  have 
been  eminently  satisfactory,  and  that  he  often  prescribes 
Buffalo  Lithia  water  "  in  those  cases  of  cerebral  hypersemia 
resulting  from  mental  over-work  in  which  the  condition 
called  nervous  dyspepsia  exists,  and  generally  with  marked 
benefit," 

As  the  limits  of  a  single  article  forbid  the  introduction 
of  long  lists  of  cases  in  detail,  it  will  be  impossible  to  do 
more  than  briefly  refer  to  one  or  two  out  of  some  thousands, 
either  treated  by  myself  or  that  have  come  under  my  own 
professional  observation.  Cases  I  and  11  are  selected  as 
being  typical  of  their  class  of  nervous  affections : 

Case  I.  Atonic  Dyspepsia. — Mr.  A.  presented  the  following 
symptoms:  Pain  in  the  epigastrium  after  eating,  anorexia  and 
dyspnoea  of  many  years'  standing.  This  patient  Lad  been  under 
treatment  all  tliat  time,  the  remedies  exhibited  not  only  hav- 
ing failed,  but  also  left   the  gastric  membrane  in  a  state  of 


TIIK    IJUlFAl.o    I-ITIIIA    U  ATEIIS.  5 

chronic  ^n^ortroiiK'Hl,  iiivolviii}?  the  {rlaiids.  lie  (lr;iiil<  tVoin  six 
to  (.■i^,'hl  f^hisses  u  day  before  ineuls  of  Spring  No.  1,  during  ii 
stay  ofsiA  weeks  at  the  sprinjjrs,  at  tiio  end  of  wliicli  time  all 
of  his  distressing  symptoms  liad  disappe;ired ;  he  could  eat 
freely  of  dishes  previously  proscribed  without  post-prandial 
malaise,  pain,  o:  dyspnoea,  and  returned  homo  completely  re- 
stored to  healtn. 

Many  other  cases  of  atonic  dyspepsia  liave  been  treated 
in  the  same  way  with  unitornily  similar  results. 

Case  II.  yeuraslhcnia. — Tiiis  patient  had  likewise  been 
under  treatment,  having  taken  quantities  of  drugs  and  elixirs, 
such  as  strychnine,  iron  and  quinine,  phosphide  of  zinc,  bella- 
donna, etc.  His  condition  was  one  of  emaciation,  lethargy, 
cerebral  exhaustion,  and  melancholia,  with  torpidity  of  the 
bowels  and  liver.  Spring  No.  1  was  prescribed,  two  glasses 
three  times  a  day  before  each  meal.  After  six  weeks  of  this 
treatment  at  the  Buffalo  Lithia  Springs  he  was  able  to  take 
regular  exercise  and  enjoy  his  meals,  having  gained  several 
pounds  of  tlesh.  This  patient  was  seen  by  me  some  months 
later;  there  had  been  no  return  of  the  melancholia,  and  his 
cerebral  activity  was  fully  up  to  the  avei'age. 

I  now  prescribe  this  water  freely  in  all  cases  where  loss 
of  nerve-force  and  want  of  tone  are  present  without  further 
classification  of  the  malady.  That  Spring  No.  2  is  equally 
beneficial  in  properly  selected  cases  has  been  well  estab- 
lished in  my  own  practice  as  well  as  in  that  of  many  others, 
among  them  that  of  the  late  Dr.  Harvey  L.  Byrd,  in  whoso 
opinion  Spring  No.  2  was  a  general  nerve-tonic  and  restora- 
tive, and  ho  strongly  recommended  it  to  a  very  large  class 
of  sufferers  as  a  nervous  cxhilarant,  having  used  it  with  emi- 
nent success  in  most  nervous  diseases,  epccially  those  where 
depression  was  a  prominent  symptom,  when  there  was  noth- 
ing to  contra-indicate  its  exliibition. 

In  neuralgia,  cephalalgia,  and  cerebral  hyporaMiiia,  as 
well  as  in  cases  of  general  hypera^sthesia  of  the  nervous  sys- 
tem, the  water  of  Spring  No,  2  is  chiefly  indicated,  and 


Q  THE  BUFFALO   LITHIA   WATERS. 

where  anseraia  exists,  that  of  Spring  No.  3  as  an  adjuvant, 
on  account  of  its  strongly  chalybeate  property,  which  it  pos- 
sesses in  the  most  desirable  form  for  administration — name- 
ly, the  carbonate  of  iron.  It  will  be  found  very  service- 
able in  these  maladies  taken  in  quantities  of  a  wineglassful, 
to  four  ounces  (twenty  minutes  after  meals),  according  to 
the  nature  of  the  case,  whether  the  anaemic  condition  is 
cerebral  or  general.  The  same  rules  apply  to  their  admin- 
istration in  neuritis  of  the  sensory  nerves. 

The  benefit  to  be  derived  from  the  use  of  the  Buffalo 
Lithia  waters  in  paralytic  affections — such  as  multiple  degen- 
erative neuritis  of  the  motor  nerves,  chorea,  paralyses  of  the 
rectum  and  bladder,  and  paralysis  of  the  facial  nerve — has 
been  attested  by  numerous  well-authenticated  cases,  apart 
from  my  own.  I  have  found  them  especially  valuable  in 
facial  paralysis  and  hemiplegia;  in  the  two  last-named  dis- 
eases Spring  No.  1  exercises  the  greater  therapeutic  potency. 
In  hemiplegia  the  patient,  while  using  the  water  internally, 
should  also  douche  the  paralyzed  parts  with  it  at  the  tem- 
perature at  which  it  is  taken  from  the  spring.  Its  action 
in  multiple  degenerative  neuritis  of  the  motor  nerves  is 
manifested  during  a  course  of  the  water  by  a  diminution  of 
the  muscular  contraction  at  times  present  and  a  return  of 
reflex  and  electrical  conduction,  thereby  preventing  the 
paralyzed  muscles  from  becoming  atrophied. 

When  exhibited  in  cases  of  paralysis  of  the  bladder,  tone 
is  imparted  to  the  organ  generally  ;  the  muscular  coats  are 
strengthened  and  incontinence  of  urine  is  checked.  In  cho- 
rea, the  water  of  Spring  No.  1  acts  directly  upon  the  inhibit- 
ory nerve-fibers,  exercising  a  steadying  power  and  causing  a 
gradual  disappearance  of  that  tremulous  condition  known 
as  paralysis  agitans.  In  a  communication  to  the  "  Virginia 
Medical  Monthly,"  *  Dr.  M.  II.  Houston,  after  observation 

*  "  Virginia  Medical  Monthly,"  February,  ISTS. 


TllK    lUFFALo    I.ITiIlA    WATERS.  7 

of  the  ai'tioii  of  Spring  No.  2  in  iiuiirtoiis  cases  in  his  prac- 
tice and  alhuling  to  its  virtue  as  a  i)owerfiil  and  permanent 
nerve-tonic,  says  of  its  employment  in  paralysis  of  the  rec- 
tum, that  its  effects  in  improving  and  restoring  the  organic 
sensibility  of  the  entire  intestinal  tract  were  strikingly  illus- 
trated in  one  of  his  eases.  Under  a  continuous  use  of  the 
water  the  sensibility  was  restored  to  a  considerable  extent, 
tonic  contraction  of  the  paralyzed  bowel  took  place,  and  its 
contents,  which  it  had  before  been  necessary  to  remove  by 
mechanical  means,  "  were  expelled,  with  very  slight  assist- 
ance, from  the  use  of  simple  water." 

Locomotor  Ataxia. — In  a  case  of  tabes  dorsalis  sent  to 
these  springs  for  treatment  by  the  waters,  and  occuriing  in 
the  practice  of  Dr.  Landon  B.  Edwards,  the  attending  physi- 
cian, the  improvement  was  so  notable  that  when  the  patirnt 
returned  to  Dr.  Edwards  he  would  have  been  inclined  to 
doubt  the  correctness  of  his  diagnosis  had  it  not  been  for 
the  fact  that  this  had  been  previously  fully  established  in 
consultation,  several  eminent  confreres  concurring  in  the 
opinion  that  the  case  was  one  of  true  sclerosis  of  the  pos- 
terior columns. 

The  therapeutic  action  of  the  waters  in  this  instance  was 
unquestionably  exercised  upon  the  nerve-centors  in  just  the 
same  manner  as  in  cases  of  multiple  degenerative  neuritis,  or 
as  it  would  be  in  affections  of  the  anterior  horns.  They  would 
thus  seem  to  be  indicated  in  all  forms  of  spinal  paralysis. 

Hysteria. — I  use  the  term  in  its  broad  sense,  including 
hysterical  attacks  and  sensations,  hystero-epilepsy,  rcHex 
mental  disturbances,  cephalalgia,  nausea,  and  vomiting — a 
neurosis  and  yet  only  a  symptom,  for  which,  in  the  ma- 
jority of  cases,  the  uterus  is  responsible  in  the  opinion  of 
Dr.  Graily  Hewitt.  This  conclusion,  however,  is  not  shared 
by  the  latest  writers  on  hysterical  affections,  and  among 
them  Professor  Charcot,  who  adopts  the  view  that  the  ova- 


8  THE  BUFFALO   LITHIA   WATERS. 

vies  are  the  real  cause  of  manifestations  of  this  nature.  It 
is,  however,  my  purpose  to  deal  with  the  subject  clinically 
only,  and  to  accept  the  condition  as  presented  in  practice. 
Experience  has  led  me  to  the  belief  that  hysteria  is  rather  a 
symptom  than  a  disease,  and,  whether  attributable  to  the 
uterus  or  ovaries  or  in  some  cases  to  both,  certain  it  is  that 
this  condition  rapidly  ameliorates  under  treatment  by  the 
Buffalo  Lithia  water  of  Spring  No.  1  in  those  cases  [and 
they  are  many]  in  which  faulty  innervation  of  the  uterus 
and  ovaries  is  the  fons  et  origo  morbi.  To  prove  that  hys- 
teria is  only  a  symptom,  we  have  but  to  follow  the  patho- 
logical process  one  step  farther,  and  we  observe  this  same 
deficient  innervation  finding  expression  in  the  different 
flexions  and  versions  of  the  uterus,  dragging  now  one  then 
the  other,  sometimes  both,  ovaries  out  of  position,  whether 
the  displacement  is  antero-posterior  or  lateral.  This  hystero- 
neurosis  is  most  frequently  met  with  in  derangements  of  the 
catamenia,  notably  in  amenorrhoea  and  dysmenorrhoea. 

My  friend  and  colleague,  the  late  Dr.  J.  Marion  Sims, 
who  had  used  the  water  of  Spring  No.  2  in  his  very  exten- 
sive gynaecological  practice  for  two  years  prior  to  his  death, 
found  it  highly  eiBcacious  in  such  cases.  This  has  been  the 
^experience  of  many  others  in  the  treatment  of  diseases  of 
women,  whether  organic  or  functional,  the  prescribed 
quantity  acting  directly  upon  the  nerve-centers  of  the  pel- 
vic viscera,  imparting  through  them  strength  and  tone  to 
the  muscular  layers,  and  to  the  round  and  broad  ligaments, 
thus  enabling  the  uterus  to  resume  its  proper  axis  and  to 
derive  the  necessary  support  from  its  appendages,  which 
now  retain  it  in  situ. 

The  waters  also  regulate  the  menstrual  flow  in  much  the 
same  manner  that  digitalis  regulates  cardiac  action.  In 
dysmenorrhoea  the  excessive  discharge  is  lessened  in  quan- 
tity and   the    ovaralgic  pain    alleviated;    in  amenorrhoea 


THE    lUIFKALo    LITllIA    WATERS.  9 

the  appearance  of  the  catamenia  is  brought  about  at  tin- 
rcLjiilar  interval  of  twenty-ciijlit  days,  not  only  in  cases 
whore  the  menses  have  been  sup[)resse(l  tcin{)()rarily,  but 
also  in  those  in  whieh  they  have  been  entirely  absent  for  a 
protraeted  period.  We  have  here  the  same  neurosis,  causing 
in  one  case  dysmenorrho'a,  in  another  amenorrhrca,  accord- 
ing to  the  idiosyncrasy  of  the  individual  patient,  an  illus- 
tration of  the  physical  phenomenon  that  the  same  cause 
produces  ditferent  effects;  the  same  neurosis  productive  of 
different  pathological  process.  The  nerve-cells  are  revital- 
ized under  the  influence  of  the  waters,  the  cause  is  removed, 
and  the  effect  ceases.  The  majority  of  my  own  cases  of 
this  class  were  treated  with  Spring  No.  1,  which  also  pos- 
sesses, in  common  with  Spring  No.  2  but  to  a  greater  de- 
gree, decided  aphrodisiac  powers. 

Impotence  and  Sterility. — In  numerous  cases  of  loss  of 
sexual  power,  and  sterility,  treated  with  the  water  of  Spring 
No.  1,  as  well  as  in  cases  of  absence  of  orgasm,  in  both  the 
male  and.  female,  there  was  a  return  of  erotism,  the  sexual 
appetite  was  restored  with  normal  function,  and  in  several 
cases  of  sterility  patients  bore  children  at  term.  In  some 
of  these  cases,  iron,  cantharidcs,  aloes,  daminna,  nux  vomica, 
phosphorus,  and  electricity  had  been  resorted  to  without 
benefit.  In  this  class  of  cases  the  waters  of  Springs  Nos. 
1  and  3  combined  will  be  found  most  serviceable,  prescribed 
in  the  manner  above  mentioned. 

It  will  be  seen  from  the  foregoing  that  there  are  three 
springs  comprising  the  group  known  as  tl:e  Buffalo  Lithia 
Springs,  and  designated  respectively  by  the  Nos.  1,  2,  and  3. 
It  is  evident  that  each  case  must  be  properly  selected  and  the 
spring  suitable  to  each  individual  patient  carefully  chosen 
from  the  symptoms,  or,  in  the  absence  of  these,  from  the  di/s- 
crasia.  During  treatment,  tea  and  coffee  should  be  avoided, 
as  well  as  all  stimulants  and  acids,  the  latter  exercising  a 


10  THE   BUFFALO   LITHIA   WATERS. 

special  deleterious  influence  in  nervous  subjects,  apart  from 
causing  molecular  and  chemical  changes  by  neutralization  of 
the  alkaline  constituents  of  the  waters.  These,  for  obvious 
reasons,  should  only  be  taken  when  the  stomach  is  in  an 
alkaline  condition — viz.,  one  hour  before  meals,  witb  the  ex- 
ception of  Spring  No.  3,  as  noted.  "We  possess,  then,  a 
remedy  that  may  be  used  not  only  ah  initio,  but  one  which 
will  prove  grateful  to  the  stomach  in  patients  that  have 
taken  drugs  ad  nauseam,  spent  many  painful  moments 
of  instrumentation  on  the  operating-table,  and  languished 
for  months  under  the  wearing  routine  of  ordinary  gynae- 
cological practice.  It  will  be  readily  conceded  from  the 
foregoing  that  the  Buffalo  Lithia  waters  merit  a  prominent 
place  in  the  therapeutics  of  diseases  of  the  nervous  system, 
both  as  a  quasi-specific  and  as  a  general  nervine  tonic — prop- 
erties that  distinguish  them  from  all  other  mineral  waters 
known  to  science.  The  relief  obtained  from  the  exhibition 
of  drugs  and  electricity  in  these  maladies  is  too  often 
ephemeral.  That  afforded  by  these  waters  is  more  radical 
and  permanent,  being  based  upon  molecular  change  through- 
out the  nervous  system,  which  in  its  turn  alters  the  dia- 
thesis and  thus  removes  those  neuroses  from  which  diseases 
originate. 

The  analyses  of  the  Buffalo  Lithia  waters.  Springs  Nos. 
1,  2,  and  3,  are  hereto  appended.  It  will  thus  be  seen  that 
the  following  paper  disclaims  all  advocacy  of  a  secret  reme- 
dy and  is  intended  solely  as  a  contribution  to  the  therapeu- 
tics of  diseases  of  the  nervous  system,  based  upon  scientific 
research  and  personal  experience  in  the  treatment  of  those 
affections,  by  the  author. 

Analyses. — Analyses  of  the  waters  of  the  Buffalo  Springs, 
in  Mecklenburg  County,  Virginia,  made  by  Professor  Will- 
iam P.  Tonry,  of  the  Maryland  Institute,  Baltimore,  March 
17,  1874.  (Results  expressed  in  grains  to  the  imperial  gallon.) 


TIIK    HITFALo    LITlll.V    WATKIJS. 


11 


SlMtlNU 


GIIAINS. 

Sulphate  of  luagnesium. . 

.       1  T.IJO 

"           iiluniiiiiuin.. 

.     8-180 

"           potiisi^iiiiu  .  . 

.     0-4  (j;3 

"           calcium  .  .  .  . 

.    19-251 

Dicurbonute  of  calcium.. 

.  39-277 

"              litiiiuiii.. 

.     1-484 

"              iron 

.    0-ouo 

Cliloiiilc  of  sodiiiin 

.     1-25G 

Spuing  No.  2. 

GRAINS. 

Sulpliiitc  of  magnesium., .  0-885 

"          aluminium.. .  9-OG7 

"          calcium 33-067 

Carbonate  of  potassium..  29-800 

Bicarbonate  of  calcium. . .  14-903 

"              lithium...  2-250 

"             barium. . .  1-750 

"             iron 0-300 

Chloride  of  sodium 4-921 

"         silicon 1-873 

Phosjjhoric  acid traces 

Iodine traces 

Organic  matter.. . .  small  amount 

Total  number  of  grains 

in  a  gallon 98-376 

Sulphureted  hydrogen.  8-:{  cub.  in. 
Carbonic-acid  gas. .  .   59-2      " 


No.  1. 

GRAINS. 

Chloride  of  f-ilicon 1-725 

Phosphoric  acid traces 

Iodine traces 

Organic  matter.  .  .  .  snuill  amount 
Total  numi)er  of  grains 

in  a  gallon 73-693 

Sulphureted  hydrogen.  59  cub.  in. 
Carbonic-acid  gas .. .   (j91      " 

Spuing  No.  3. 

GRAINS. 

Sulphate  of  magnesium. ...  0-150 
"  aluminium.. . .   3-035 

"  calcium 2-353 

Carbonate  of  potassium .. .    1852 

Bicarbonate  of  calcium.. . .   2-524 

"  lithium.  .  .  .  traces 

"  iron 3-774 

Chloride  of  sodium   0-217 

"  silicon 0-570 

Phosphoric  acid traces 

Organic  matter. . .  .   small  amount 

Total  number  of  grains 

in  a  gallon 14-475 

Sulphureted  hydrogen.  3-4  culi.  in. 
Carbonic-acid  gas ...    11-6      " 


COLUMBIA  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARIES 

This  book  is  due  on  the  date  indicated  below,  or  at  the 
expiration  of  a  definite  period  cifter  the  date  of  borrowing,  as 
provided  by  the  rules  of  the  Library  or  by  special  arrange- 
ment with  the  Librarian  in  charge. 

DATE  BORROWED 

DATE  DUE 

DATE  BORROWED 

DATE  DUE 

C28(i141)mI00 

RA805,B86  B69 

Boyland 

The  Buffalo  Lithia  waters  


J 


B   63 


r 


Rl 


